About ASRB Combined Exam 2025
The Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB), under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, has released the combined notification for the National Eligibility Test (NET) 2025, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Subject Matter Specialist (SMS) (T-6), and Senior Technical Officer (STO) (T-6) Examinations 2025. This recruitment drive offers 582 vacancies for candidates aspiring to become Lecturers/Assistant Professors or join prestigious scientific and technical positions within the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Applications are accepted online from April 22, 2025, to May 21, 2025, via the official ASRB website.
Important Dates
- Notification Release: February 24, 2025
- Online Application Start: April 22, 2025 (1:00 PM IST)
- Last Date to Apply: May 21, 2025 (11:59 PM IST)
- Combined CBT (NET & Prelims for ARS/SMS/STO): September 2–4, 2025
- Mains Exam (ARS/SMS/STO): December 7, 2025
- Admit Card Release: To be announced
Vacancy Details
Total Vacancies: 582
Post-Wise Distribution:
| Post Name | Vacancies | Pay Level |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Research Service (ARS) | 458 | Level-10 (₹57,700 – ₹1,82,400) |
| Subject Matter Specialist (SMS) (T-6) | 41 | Level-10 (₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500) |
| Senior Technical Officer (STO) (T-6) | 83 | Level-10 (₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500) |
Note: NET is a qualifying exam for Lecturer/Assistant Professor posts with no fixed vacancies. Vacancies for ARS, SMS, and STO are subject to change. Check the official notification for category-wise details.
Eligibility Criteria
- Educational Qualification: Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline (e.g., Agricultural Biotechnology, Entomology, Horticulture) from a recognized Indian or foreign university, completed by September 30, 2025.
- Age Limit: Minimum 21 years as of January 1, 2025. No upper age limit.
- Nationality: Indian citizens, PIO/OCI cardholders, or nationals of Nepal/Bhutan (subject to notification).
- Educational Qualification: Master’s degree or equivalent in the concerned discipline, completed by September 30, 2025.
- Age Limit: 21–32 years as of August 1, 2025.
- Age Relaxation: SC/ST: 5 years; OBC: 3 years; PwBD: 10 years; Ph.D. holders: 3 years; ICAR Employees: up to 45 years; AU Employees: up to 35 years.
- Educational Qualification: Master’s degree or equivalent in the concerned discipline, completed by September 30, 2025.
- Age Limit: 21–35 years as of May 21, 2025.
- Age Relaxation: SC/ST: 5 years; OBC: 3 years; PwBD: 10 years; ICAR Employees: No age limit; Ex-Servicemen: As per GoI rules.
Note: Disciplines include Agricultural Biotechnology, Plant Breeding, Entomology, Soil Science, Horticulture, etc. Refer to Annexure-VI of the official notification for detailed qualifications.
Selection Process
- Computer-Based Test (CBT): One paper of 150 objective MCQs, 150 marks, 2 hours, in the relevant discipline.
- Marking: +1 mark per correct answer, -1/3 mark per wrong answer.
- Qualifying Marks: UR: 50%, OBC/EWS: 45%, SC/ST/PwBD: 40%.
- Outcome: Qualified candidates receive a NET certificate via DigiLocker for applying to Lecturer/Assistant Professor posts.
- Preliminary Exam (CBT): 150 objective MCQs, 150 marks, 2 hours, covering General Knowledge, Reasoning, and Subject Knowledge.
- Mains Exam (Descriptive): 300 marks, 3 hours, subject-specific descriptive questions.
- Personal Interview: 45 marks to assess specialized skills and aptitude.
- Marking: Preliminary: +1 mark per correct answer, -1/3 mark per wrong answer.
- Final Merit: Based on Mains exam and interview marks.
Note: Candidates can apply for NET, ARS, SMS, STO, or any combination, selecting preferences in the application form.
Salary Structure
- NET (Lecturer/Assistant Professor): Varies by university, typically Pay Level-10 (₹57,700 – ₹1,82,400) + allowances.
- ARS: Pay Level-10 (₹57,700 – ₹1,82,400) + DA, HRA, TA, and other benefits.
- SMS (T-6) & STO (T-6): Pay Level-10 (₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500) + DA, HRA, TA, and other benefits.
- Additional Benefits: Pension, medical facilities, and other perks as per ICAR/GoI rules.
How to Apply
- Visit the official ASRB website: asrb.org.in.
- Click on the “Online Application for ASRB NET/ARS/SMS/STO 2025” link.
- Register using a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Fill out the application form, selecting NET, ARS, SMS, STO, or a combination, and indicate preference order for ARS/SMS/STO.
- Upload scanned documents:
- Passport-size photograph (max 200 KB, .jpg, white background)
- Signature (max 100 KB, .jpg, black/blue ink)
- Left thumb impression (max 100 KB, .jpg, blue ink)
- Photo ID proof
- Pay the application fee via Bharatkosh (bharatkosh.gov.in):
- NET only: UR/OBC/EWS: ₹1000; SC/ST/PwBD/Women: ₹250
- ARS only: UR/OBC/EWS: ₹500; SC/ST/PwBD/Women: Nil
- SMS/STO only: UR/OBC/EWS: ₹500; SC/ST/PwBD/Women: Nil
- Combinations: Refer to notification for combined fees
- Submit the form, download the confirmation, and take a printout.
Note: No documents need to be submitted during application. Self-attested copies are uploaded after Mains results for ARS/SMS/STO.
Preparation Tips
- Use books like “General Agriculture for ICAR Exams” by Pushpendra Karhana for core concepts.
- Refer to “Objective Agriculture” by S.R. Kantwa for competitive exam practice.
- Study Master’s-level syllabus for your discipline (e.g., Biotechnology, Entomology).
- Practice previous years’ papers for NET and ARS exams.
- Take mock tests to improve time management and accuracy.